“American Idol” has its 13 finalists, who now will be whittled down one by one until the champion is crowned in May. A trio of judges are supposed to help the viewers make that decision, and with two newcomers arriving and the legendary Simon Cowell departing, they’ll be under as much scrutiny as the singers.

So far, those judges have been better than expected ... and worse. The addition of Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez have brought much-needed humor, energy, and practicality to a group that spent season nine going through the motions, but also appears to have a chance to go the entire season without every actually being mean to a contestant. It’s a kinder, gentler “Idol,” this season, but that doesn’t mean it will be better.

Steven Tyler is the biggest "American Idol" surprise since Taylor Hicks. Almost everyone was skeptical that he would be anything other than a disaster, but he's been funny, irreverent and supportive. He's like Simon in the sense that he's the judge viewers have to pay attention to, if only to see whether he drops a few F-bombs or stares inappropriately at the female contestants as they sing.

Jennifer Lopez has a smidge of Paula Abdul in her, as we saw when she broke down eliminating Chris Medina (which wound up doing Medina a favor, since it got him on "The Tonight Show" and saw his iTunes release sell a few thousand more copies). But unlike Abdul, she offers advice that goes beyond complimenting the singer's outfit or good looks. Telling singers how to treat the cameras, or how important it is not to overthink things, is a lot more useful than just talking about songs being “pitchy.”

And Randy Jackson ... well, at least he's trying. The Big Dawg has Simon's old seat, and to the extent that anyone is replacing Cowell as the meanie/realist, it’s him. While Tyler and J.Lo seem to want to have everyone stick around, Jackson keeps the season moving along and reminding us that not everyone can win.

Say something critical
It’s a cliché that has stood the test of time and the revolving door of judges: “American Idol” is a singing competition. Normally, that’s said by the judges to the contestants to emphasize the need to sing well, as opposed to simply being entertaining or looking snazzy — it’s a SINGING competition, not a general talent show.

This season, the judges are the ones who need reminding that it’s a singing COMPETITION. This can’t be Lake Wobegon ... we already know that everyone remaining is above average, since they’re the last 13 standing of the thousands who auditioned. The show should be more like “Top Gun” at this point, with only the best of the best moving forward each week.

In the past, Simon was the bearer of the brutal honesty required to keep things moving forward. If someone was subpar, he’d tell them so in very colorful and mean language that could horrify and entertain at the same time. Viewers might be grateful he wasn’t their boss or teacher, but his track record as a judge of others was tough to argue with.

These judges can’t seem to do that. They’re all very nice, and they all seem to genuinely like the singers who are still here, even if some are clearly better than others. But unless a viewer is willing to carefully dissect specific word choice, it’s easy to think that they love everyone equally (except for Lauren Alaina, who they love a lot more).

Take Julie Zorrilla's semifinal solo. It wasn’t very good. She knew it, the judges knew it, the American people knew it. Simon would have said something brutal and cutting about her blowing her big chance, and Zorrilla likely would have broken down in tears, and it would have gotten everyone on the morning talk shows.

Tyler, J.Lo and Randy were comparatively nice. Steven Tyler didn’t like the song choice, but quickly talked about her “great voice.” Randy didn’t think it stood out. J.Lo didn’t love her connection to the lyrics. All very tame.

Or how about Jordan Dorsey? He made a terrible song choice in Usher’s “OMG,” and had his decision dinged accordingly. But the “criticism” we heard was that it wasn’t his best performance and not who he should be as an artist. When the feedback is something that everyone in the audience could have given, there’s not much of a reason to pay attention.

Those were arguably the two worst performances of the semifinal round, and judging from the instant reaction online via Twitter and Facebook postings, most of the viewers knew it. But the judges were unwilling to strongly state the obvious, perhaps because they like everyone too much to do so.

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Someone needs to step up
Simon’s shadow still looms large, and “Idol” made a smart decision not to have an obvious stand-in for him. He was a unique personality to say the least, and this keeps any of the new judges from being dismissed as Simon Lite.

But if Simon's particular accent and the painful similes and metaphors aren’t essential, his brutal honesty is. It’s a competition that only one person can win, and if someone isn’t good enough the judges have to say so.

It’s a difficult competition for everyone, and the singers all know they have to step up their performance to advance. The judges are going to have to do the same.

'American Idol' season 10

Getting the bad news

A stunned Haley Reinhart, center, learns from Ryan Seacrest, right, that her "American Idol" run is over on Thursday, May 19. Lauren Alaina, left, advances to the final.
(Michael Becker / FOX)
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One more time

Unlikely duo

Nicole Scherzinger performs her new single, “Right There,” with 50 Cent on the show Thursday, May 19. Scherzinger will be one of the hosts on Simon Cowell's new show, "X Factor."
(Michael Becker / FOX)
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Smile, smile, smile

Lauren Alaina waves to her many friends, fans and supporters as she rides by in a red convertible during a parade in Rossville, Ga., on Saturday, May 14.
(Jenna Walker / Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP)
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She holds the key

Finalist Haley Reinhart was given the key to the city of Wheeling, Ill., during her homecoming celebration on Saturday, May 14.
(Timothy Hiatt / Getty Images)
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Center of attention

"American Idol" finalist Haley Reinhart is welcomed by her hometown with a parade and ceremony during Haley Reinhart Day in Wheeling, Ill., on Saturday, May 14.
(Paul Beaty / AP)
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Get to work!

Any requests?

Scotty McCreery performs at an outdoor concert for local fans at his homecoming celebration at Buffaloe Park in Garner, N.C., on Saturday, May 14.
(Steve Exum / Getty Images)
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The bad news

Ryan Seacrest, right, tells James Durbin, left, that he has been eliminated, as Scotty McCreery learns that he is safe for another week.
(Michael Becker / FOX)
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Last song

Following his elimination on Thursday, May 12, James Durbin sang the Paul McCartney song, "Maybe I'm Amazed," which he sang during the second week of the live finals.
(Michael Becker / FOX)
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Enrique Iglesias

Enrique Iglesias performs his new single, "Dirty Dancer," from the "American Idol" stage on Thursday, May 12. The singer announced his new tour, in support of his album, "Euphoria."
(Michael Becker / FOX)
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Look who's 'On the Floor'

Jennifer Lopez shows the hopefuls how it's done as she performs her single "On the Floor" on Thursday, April 5. Her new album "Love?" debuted this week.
(Michael Becker / FOX)
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Lady night

High five

The final five contestants on season 10 of "American Idol," clockwise from top left, James Durbin, Lauren Alaina, Jacob Lusk, Scotty McCreery and Hayley Reinhart.
(Michael Becker / FOX)
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Leave 'em wanting more

Casey Abrams, left, gets the word from Ryan Seacrest that he's been eliminated from "American Idol" on Thursday, April 28. The recipient of the only judges' save this season, Abrams went out in style with a rendition of "I Put a Spell on You" that ranks as the best exit number ever, says TODAY.com's Craig Berman.
(Michael Becker / FOX)
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Two not for the show

Naima Adedapo, left, and Thia Megia bid farewell after being eliminated on Thursday, March 31. The first four singers eliminated this season have been women, thanks to the judges’ use of the save on Casey Abrams last week.
(Michael Becker / Fox)
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Oh, 'Rio'

Strike up the band

"Idol" contestants, from left, James Durbin, Paul McDonald, Casey Abrams and Stefano Langone perform on Thursday, March 31. MacDonald was among the lowest three vote-getters this week.
(Michael Becker / Fox)
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Final 10 plus one

Usually only the top 10 Idol contestants go on to perform on "American Idol's" Live tour, but this year there will be 11. The singers are (clockwise from top left): James Durbin, Paul McDonald, Pia Toscano, Scotty McCreery, Jacob Lusk, Stefano Langone, Lauren Alaina, Casey Abrams, Naima Adedapo, Haley Reinhart and Thia Megia.
(Fox)
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A Hulk-ing announcement

Pro-wrestler Hulk Hogan makes a surprise appearance on "American Idol" to reveal the fates of James Durbin and Paul McDonald, who were both safe and going on tour. Hogan also gave Ryan Seacreast a pro-wrestling punch to the head, hurling him into the audience.
(Fox)
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Jennifer Hudson returns

Jennifer Hudson was back on the stage that made her famous to perform her new song, "Where You At?" "It feels good to be home!" she exclaimed.
(Fox)
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No save tonight

Karen Rodriguez gets the word, alongside host Ryan Seacrest, that she has been eliminated from season 10 of "American Idol" on Thursday, March 17. She did well enough in her last-chance performance to have judge Jennifer Lopez lobby the other judges for her, but not enough to earn the save.
(Michael Becker / Fox)
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Casey Abrams

Casey, a 20-year-old from Idyllwild, Calif., has fought every step of the way to continue in the competition. He was nearly eliminated during semifinals week when he had to be hospitalized for a stomach ailment two days before taping.
(Michael Becker / Fox)
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Thia Megia

Thia, a 16-year-old from Mountain House, Calif., is one of the competition’s youngest hopefuls. During the semifinals, judge Steven Tyler said that her “pitch can be so perfect that it doesn’t matter what song” she sings.
(Michael Becker / Fox)
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James Durbin

James, a 22-year-old from Santa Cruz, Calif., is the only rocker in this season’s competition. His penchant for screams and his big stage personality have drawn comparisons to season eight runner-up Adam Lambert.
(Michael Becker / Fox)
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Pia Toscano

Lauren Alaina

Lauren, a 16-year-old from Rossville, Ga., brought the crowd to its feet with Reba McEntire’s “Turn on the Radio” during the semifinal round. She first ingrained herself in America’s memory by singing Aerosmith -- with Steven Tyler -- for her initial audition.
(Michael Becker / Fox)
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Haley Reinhart

Paul McDonald

Paul, a 26-year-old from Nashville, won high praise from the judges for his version of Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May.” Judge Steven Tyler loved his style
(Michael Becker / Fox)
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Karen Rodriguez

Karen, a 21-year-old from New York, gave judge Jennifer Lopez goose bumps with her Spanish version of Mariah Carey’s “Hero.” It was a move that won America’s votes during the semifinals.
(Michael Becker / Fox)
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Scott McCreery

Scott, a 17-year-old country crooner from Garner, N.C., was the first of the guys to become a finalist. He performed “Letters From Home” during the semifinals to clinch his spot.
(Michael Becker / Fox)
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Stefano Langon

Stefano, a 21-year-old from Kent, Wash., was the only male singer the judges picked for a wild-card spot. He performed “I Need You Now” for his last-chance performance, and Steven Tyler declared that the young singer “gilded the lily of your own passion.”
(Michael Becker / Fox)
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Naima Adedapo

Naima, a 26-year-old Milwaukee native, was the last of the judges’ wild-card picks. Steven Tyler said she was the new Ella Fitzgerald after she performed “Summertime” during the semifinals.
(Michael Becker / Fox)
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